The ongoing Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) vaccination response in Sokoto and Kebbi States continues to witness massive turnout as the exercise entered its sixth day on Thursday.
The vaccination campaign is also taking place in Kebbi State, specifically in Jega, Gwandu, and Aleiro Local Government Areas (LGAs).
In Shagari and Tambuwal LGAs, the turnout has been encouraging: 107 children were vaccinated at Government Day Secondary School Shagari, over 100 pupils at Shehu Shagari Memorial Primary School, 240 children at Nassarawa Tudu, and 175 at Nassarawa Rafi Primary School in Tambuwal LGA.
Meanwhile, Tambuwal has targeted 277,200 children for vaccination.
However, the Headmaster of Horo Model Primary School in Shagari LGA, Malam Abubakar Umar, rejected a letter requesting permission to use the school as a vaccination site.
Nura Dandi Shagari, the Area Health Mobilization Officer, confirmed the rejection and explained that he had contacted the immunization coordinator in Horo town. He assured that efforts were underway to hold an emergency meeting with the headmaster to resolve the issue.
The Councillor of Horo, when contacted, said he was unaware of the situation but promised to investigate and work towards a resolution to allow the vaccination to proceed at the school.
UNICEF has been at the forefront of the response since the outbreak began in December 2024, supporting the vaccination efforts in the affected areas.
Alongside WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), UNICEF is supporting the exercise with funding from the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision in the high-risk LGAs of Tambuwal and Shagari in Sokoto State.
UNICEF’s support includes vaccine supply, cold chain logistics, waste management, and advocacy, communication, and social mobilization activities.
Nuraddeen Abubakar, the Immunization Officer for Tambuwal LGA, confirmed that the area is targeting over 277,200 children for meningitis vaccination in the six-day exercise.
Abubakar stated that the vaccination effort has been successful due to strong community compliance, with no reported rejections from individuals or communities since the start of the campaign—apart from the issue at Horo.
He attributed the success to effective advocacy campaigns that have led to widespread acceptance of the vaccine.
He further appreciated the contributions of UNICEF, the state and local government councils, and other development partners, particularly in providing medicines, logistics, and mobilization support.
Abubakar also commended traditional institutions, community leaders, religious figures, and other stakeholders for their role in achieving high turnout across the 12 wards in the area.
The first meningitis outbreak in the region was reported in Garin Alasan, a community bordering Aleiro town in Kebbi State. The disease later spread to Barkeji town, then to Sanyinna (another border town with Kebbi), and finally to Jabo, a border town with Zamfara State.
The Immunization Officer described the outbreak as devastating: over 198 cases were recorded, with eight children dead, 116 discharged, five absconded, and four referred to other hospitals within the affected areas.
The Chairman of Shagari Local Government Council, Alhaji Maiwada Kajiji, commended the organizers for conducting the immunization during the harsh season. He noted that it would significantly help curtail and prevent further spread of the disease.
He also praised the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for initiating the immunization drive.
Nura Shagari, the Area Health Enlightenment Officer, reported massive turnout at vaccination sites, noting that many teams requested additional vaccine doses after exhausting their initial supplies before the day’s end.
Malam Saidu Mudi, Vice Principal of Government Day Secondary School Shagari, said the vaccination exercise has been well received, with students eagerly lining up to receive their injections.
He described the enthusiasm as remarkable, particularly given the intense heat.
Mudi appealed to UNICEF to consider extending the vaccination period due to the large population of children, ensuring all eligible individuals receive the vaccine.
Huzaifa Umar Shagari, Deputy Headmaster of Shehu Shagari Memorial Primary School, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the pupils were enthusiastic about receiving the vaccine.
He expressed gratitude to parents and guardians for supporting and encouraging their wards’ participation in the campaign.
With an enrollment of 379 students, he appreciated the efforts of UNICEF, the government, and other development partners for making the immunization exercise possible.
